*~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~*

• 08-23-2009 4:41 PM

  ~Julielle~ Joined on 11-02-2008 Lowcountry, South Carolina Posts 676

  *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact ***PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR CONGRATS/COMMENTS OR EDIT ANY POST ON THIS THREAD!!!*** INSTRUCTIONS ON POSTING YOUR BIRTH STORY: (All birth stories are welcome...preterm losses, preemies, and full term babies. Please share your story with us!) 1. Create a new thread/post as you normally would and type your entire birth story.  You may add pictures to this post.  Post this new thread so that others can leave their comments there. 2. Go back in to that thread and highlight the entire story that you just typed.  Paste that story in this *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* thread, along with the link to the original story's thread. 3. For the link, go back in to the original thread that you posted your story in and highlight the entire URL in the address bar and copy it. 4. Please include the following information (only if you want to, it will make it easier for us to add your info into the charts and to hand out awards) First Name/Screen Name: Baby's Name: Gender: Date of Birth: Original Due Date: Height/Weight: Story/Pictures:   AND AGAIN, DO NOT EDIT OR POST CONGRATS OR COMMENTS ON THIS THREAD! Taken from the August 2009 board   ~*~*~Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~*~ First Pumpkin Patch Mommy to have her Pumpkin(s): Mommy2+2! Rowan and Ryder were born on 8-19 @ 32w2d!!!!!! Congrats momma!!! Last Pumpkin Patch Mommy to have her Pumpkin(s) Longest Labor Shortest Labor Heaviest Pumpkin Lightest Pumpkin Longest Pumpkin Shortest Pumpkin Pumpkin(s) Born On EDD: April Fools Pumpkin (pumpkin who was born the opposite gender of what parents were told!):

• 09-20-2009 8:05 AM

  In reply to

  crazyaboutmykids3 Joined on 06-05-2003 Posts 265

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact Hey Everyone.... Sorry it took so long for me to write this ..... My csection went very well in fact it was the best of the 4. My csection was scheduled at 9:00am and Ariel was born on 9/11/09 at 9:33am. she weighed 6lbs 12oz and was 18 inches long......remember i was only 36 weeks when i delivered. She was taken to the NICU after birth because she had some dark brown birth marks that dr.'s didn't know what they were so she spent a few days in the hospital while they ran some test. I got to stay with her as a courtesy the hospital discharged me but let me remain in my room for an additional 3 days. Turns out her birth marks are absolutely fine and all her test are normal. She's beautiful and healthy..... Here are her pictures. http://community.parentingweekly.com/Pregnancy/forums/t/2056153.aspx

• 09-20-2009 5:34 PM

  In reply to

  erica3254367 Joined on 02-24-2009 austin tx. Posts 152

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact Name: Cianna Marie Cruz Date and Time of Birth: September 13, 2009 at 10:33 p.m Weight: 5 lbs 6oz Height: 18 1/2 inches Expexted due date: Oct 11th I started having contractions around 3:30 or 4:00 that afternoon, after noticing that they were getting closer and more intense i called the Dr that was on call that night told him what was going on, and ofcourse he told me to come in just to be on the safe side. Got to the hospital around 5:45 p.m got hooked up to the monitor, nurse takes all my information and finally gets around to checking me and my cervix is still really high but i am dialated to 1 cm. So the waiting begins she comes back about a hour and a half later to check me and i am at 2 cm, She calls the Dr he wants me hooked up to the IV and start getting fluids, she tells me i can have the epidural when ever i want. I tell her "no, that the pain is still managable and i dident need it.So at about 7 almost 8:00 the Dr somes in to check me and i am dialated to 4 almost 5 but i am still really high and he cant tell if he was feeling a butt or a head. He ask if i was breech i tell him that the last time my Dr checked which was at 32 weeks she had turned head down. He wanted to check for himself so here comes the U/S machine and sure enough to my surprise my little girl has managed to turn agian and has her head up in the right side of my ribs, all this time i was thinking that was her butt sticking out there and it was here head !!!! LOL  So he breaks the news to me, i have to have a C Section tonight!!!!! He dident even want to try to turn her around or anything, i coundent believe it, What a surprise i never had a section before i am scared and start crying thinking its still early and now i have to have a C Section. So about 9:45 p.m i am wheeled into the OR getting preped for the surgery just worrying myself to death. Get the spinal done which was way less painful then i remember. (I dident get the spinal headache afterwards either.WooHoo for that!!!!) Then my husband comes in and we get started. There was no complacations, but she did have her cord wrapped around her neck twice, yet another surprise. So i am really glad that he dident try to turn her, who knows what could of happened. I dident have to get any staples or anything i got the disolvable stiches and some surgury glue stuff. (???) And the Dr managed to save my tattoo. She came out at 10:33 p.m screaming, breathing on her own and doing great. Her apgar score was 8-9 out of 10. She went to the newborn nursury where she was being monitored for being a premmie she was breathing kinda fast so at 4:00 a.m they took her to the NICU she wasent requiring any oxygen, they did hook a IV up to give her some antibiatics. But she is not hooked up to anyhting now. My incesion was hurting so bad about 2 hours after i gave birth i was crying the painkillers they gave me felt like they did nothing so then the nurse felt it nessacry to start poking all around my incesion site and makes me start crying even more, but she did come back with morphine that helped me get a some rest. I really wish i could have done it vaginal birth but everything happens for a reason. This little girl had a plan of her own. But i was up and walking the next day (only cause i had to), LOL. I am now breast feeding her and the Dr is saying that she could come on the 18th. Well everyone that was my eventful night.

• 10-15-2009 11:59 AM

  In reply to

  desiremc29 Joined on 01-30-2009 West Windsor, NJ Posts 742

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Eboneika Desire/ desiremc29 Baby's Name: Hava Desire Scholar L. Gender: female Date of Birth: 10/9 Original Due Date: 10/9 Height/Weight: 20 1/2" / 7lbs 14.8oz I was induced by my dr. & a midwife on Thursday night.  They first tried to soften and dialate my cervix which doesn't like to "open up."  I started to have some contractions, nothing consistant.  Friday morning cervix med. is out, in comes Protocin.  WAIT!!!!  The last time Protocin was in my body those contractions nearly killed me and that baby was out in no time!!  Give me the epidural so I don't even have to deal w/ it!! Epidural...Had it w/ my other two daughters.  Each experience wanted to kiss the person giving it to me.  This time, wanted to hit the person giving it to me!  Take 1:  She goes higher than I'm used to on my back.  I FEEL EVERYTHING!!!!  She admits that the epidural went into a blood vessel and she has to do it again.... Take 2:  Goes in like it is suppose to and I don't feel a thing....until it's time to push this baby out!! (see near end of story)   Protocin, why do you fail me??  You were my miracle drug, the one to get this kid out.  Why do you only get me to 5 cm then quit on me.  Not even leaving me w/ regular contractions  I am left to one from side to side to move this baby into the right position b/c right now she's sunny side up aka spine to spine. After cervix softening, 2 epidurals, and non working Protocin (totalling 18 hours of prepping), Hava finally turns into the right position!!  Now REAL labor begins! I go from 5 to 8 cm in 10 mins & in another 5min I'm 9cm and finally having regular contractions.  (I feel them!  The epidural is leaving me!!!  Come back, come back) It's now 2:45pm and I told my dr earlier that this baby would be born b/f 3pm.  No pressure, lol. I start to push, and I have NO epidural!  It's too late for any more drugs.  All I can do is push this baby out as quickly as possible to save my sanity.  Call me Superwoman, darnit!!  She is born @ 2:58pm I have no damage, rips, or cuts.  I actually feel really good and proud of myself!  I'm also proud of my body since my "real" labor only lasted for less than 30mins.  I even walk to my new room once the nurse helps to get me all cleaned up!  No swelling, no real pain, just pride and love.  That, for me was the perfect way to end my last pregnancy and no I no longer want to hit the lady who gave me the epidurals...Her actions helped me to see that I was stronger and tougher than I thought.

• 10-16-2009 8:49 AM

  In reply to

  beasmom86 Joined on 02-27-2009 massachusetts Posts 124

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Alanna/Beasmom86 Baby's Name: Keira Rose Stangroom. Gender: female Date of Birth: 09/29/09 Original Due Date: 10/5 Height/Weight:19 1/4 inches 7lb 10 oz My husband and I went in for a planned c-section on Sept 29. The c section was scheduled for 1pm and they wanted me in there for 11 am. I could not eat or drink anything from midnight on the night before. We got in there and they put the ivs in and brought the doctor in charge of the spinal tap in to talk to me. I didn't really care for his bedside matter, but he was a means to the end so I tried to ignore it. We were cleared for surgery 15 minutes early. The only problem was that Jim was not allowed in while they did the spinal tap. They said it would be quick and he could come right in after. Later he told me he was ready to practically bust through the doors because it took them over 20 minutes to get the line in!. The whole time the doc was trying to put the line in and I was supposed to bend over and push into the needle.Yes, push in to the needle... like that's going to come naturally. He kept yelling at me every time he missed, saying I moved. He missed 4 times and I was doing my best to comply, but I started crying. My L and D nurse was my best friend at that moment cause she was holding my hand and letting me hold hers tightly lol. Finally they got it in, and got Jim in there with me. Surgery went quickly and I couldn't see a thing. I had told Jim not to look past the sheet before we even went into surgery, so of course he looked. He says he knows what my insides look like outside now. EWW . So Keira was born at 1:29 on 9./29.09. (love the 9's!) She has orangey hair like me and she is so little. My last daughter was 8lb 1 ounce and 2 weeks early! Right away they started finding things wrong. They had to put a tube down her throat because they couldn't get the gunk cleared out of her lungs. When that came out, they realized her sugar was way too low and made me feed her imediately. (I think it was because I hadn't eaten for about 14 hours before surgery), After feeding she was fine sugarwise. They got us to our room and noticed she wasn't breathing properly. Her respiration rate was way too high so they took her away from me right away. I couldn't get up to see her because of the catheder and ivs. Jim had to bounce between me and Keira in the nursery. In the mean time my room was full of Jim's family and it was way past visiting hours. All I can say is I am eternally grateful for my mom. She helped me alot just by being with me. So unbeknownst to be, they gave me morphine for the pain. I have very bad reactions to morphine. I figured out what they gave me when I started itching violently a few hours after surgery. Then all of a sudden I started shaking, crying and hyperventalating with out meaning to. Jim didn't know how to handle it so he just left and went to check on Keira. My mom and the nurse got me to focus enough to calm the hyperventaling down. This was going on with a room full of people. Mom had to actually tell them that they should probally leave because they were all standing there staring at me! The nexr day they told me Keira's breathing was fine but she was jaundiced and was about .5 points away from having to be put under a light and having to be supplemented. They supplemented her a small bit and she ended up getting over it after a couple of days, Now we are home and everyone is well. Having a c section hit me like a ton of bricks and was alot harder than the last c section. I wanted to go nautral this time and was talked into a csection. The next baby I have, I am going to insist on natural. I am determined to do it my way next time and I think it will lead to a better recovery time. Keira is now 7lb 11 oz and breastfeeding like a champ. She is a full time job and I am enjoying my maternity leave with her. I can't believe that I have been out of work a month on the 22nd. Time flies. Hope all is well with everyone and that there are tons of happy baby stories!

• 10-16-2009 7:12 PM

  In reply to

  Christina3240621 Joined on 02-14-2009 California Posts 0

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Christina Baby's Name: Connor Gibson Gender: Male Date of Birth: 10/4 Original Due Date: 10/10 Height/Weight: 21" / 7lbs 9oz I was scheduled to be induced on Sunday, 10/4 due to the gestational diabetes I had during pregnancy.  On Saturday, 10/3 my husband and I went for our regular walk to get our dog some "off leash" time before we had the baby and he had to stay with friends of ours.  We walked for over an hour and I told my husband that I was feeling some odd pressure lower in my pelvis than I'd felt before.  We got home and I was upstairs on the computer just messing around while my husband was fixing lunch.  I sat down at the kitchen table, had lunch and told my husband again that I was feeling like my hips were out of place and I just couldn't walk quite right.  As we were chatting my water broke.  I told him I'd either wet my pants or that my water broke.  Of course he went into packing mode because he knew that we were going to be heading to the hospital.  I called L&D at 12:45 and they said I could shower (thank god!) and to come in.  I took my time in the shower, shaved my legs, styled my hair and while I was putting on make-up (yes, make-up!) my husband came in, did a double take and just shook his head.  He said that was the weirdest thing he's ever seen.  I was pretty calm for a first time mom about to go delivery her son.  At this point I wasn't feeling any contractions but every time I bent over more of my amniotic fluid would gush out.  For anyone who has experienced that it's really not all that pleasant.  I kept feeling like I was peeing my pants. We got to the hospital around 2 and they took us to triage where they hooked us up to the monitor and then did a quick ultrasound to make sure he was still head down (he was).  I was having contractions but they weren't at all painful.  Then about 3pm suddenly they started to hurt.  They got me to a delivery room and checked me (I was only at 3cm dilated).  They left me alone for awhile and then the contractions really started coming hard and pretty fast.  I elected to do the epidural at around 5cm dilated and I was SO happy.  The only issue I had was that I was violently shaking after the epidural and it would start back up every time we pushed the little button to give me a bolus of the epidural medication (every 10 minutes or so).  That was really annoying but I'd prefer that over the pain of the contracctions. One of my hips was really hurting but other than that I felt very little until I got to 8cm, when I finally started to feel more intense pressure.  Most of the time I'd feel just a little burning in my back and then it would subside but it was manageable.  I felt pain only a few times during the pushing, which lasted about 1 hour.  I had an incredible nurse and a good midwife.  The nurse went to find a squat bar and though I couldn't use it like normal due to the epidural (my legs were REALLY numb all the way to my toes) she called it a modified squat.  We had my feet on each side of the bar and she tied a sheet to to the center of the bar with two "handles" so I could pull myself up.  It really helped me concentrate the pushing right where it needed to be.  Once she did that I could easily make it through three pushes per contraction and I could literally feel him making good progress with each push.  I would recommend anyone ask for a squat bar just to give it a try and see if it helps you as much as it did me.  I had two little tears that they sewed up with a stitch apiece. He finally came out at 4:02am on Sunday, 10/4 and it was the most amazing experience of my life.  He's incredible and I'm so proud to be his momma. Because I had a fever during the delivery they were concerned I might have an infection which could be passed to Connor.  Immediately after delivery they took him to the NICU and he spent his first night there.  It broke my heart, though I completely understood why it was necessary.  I did still get to feed him throughout the night but couldn't spend too much time there.

• 10-19-2009 3:48 PM

  In reply to

  srgardner Joined on 02-16-2009 Gulf Breeze, FL Posts 374

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Sherry/ srgardner. Baby's Name: Jamie Elizabeth Gardner. Gender:Girl. Date of Birth: Oct 10,2009. Original Due Date: Oct 24, 2009. Height/Weight: 20 1/4 in/ 8lb 7.3oz. Story/Pictures: Ok. So I was having contractions on and off Saturday and since I had had a little fluid leakage and some more spotting when I called my dr he told me to come on in. He decided that he could call it as me being in labor whether I was contracting or not at that point. So when I got to the hospital, I was having contractions including some that I didn't even feel and so that combined with my AMA and circumvellate placenta gave him reason enough to be able to induce labor and break my water the rest of the way. So about 5 pm, he came in and broke my water and started me on pitocin to regulate the contractions. They started the pitocin real low dose and bumped it up every so often and then about 830 the nurse came in and bumped it up again and at that time I decided to give in and let her give me some pain meds through the IV. She gave me that and that worked till about 1030 when she came back in and bumped up the pitocin again and that caused the contractions to become unbearable again so she gave me some more meds. She checked me at that point and I was about a 7 to 8 cm dilated and 90 % effaced. then about That medicine that she had given me didn't even take the edge off of the contractions and I got my DH to call her and have her come back in. She came in and checked me and had to have someone else call the dr in because she had me bear down a little to see if she could get more than a 9 which when I bore down I was complete and couldn't even stop the push at that point. So Jamie was born after about 3 or 4 good pushes at 1052pm. She tore me a small amount. So I had to get a couple of stitches which don't even bother me. Other than the cramping which is finally starting to wear off, I am doing good. I went to Walmart with DH today to get some more groceries for the house. Jamie lost down to 7lb 11.7oz by Monday night. She is doing good and eating constantly at night and about every 2 hours during the daytime. She should be back up to weight in no time. SHe hasn't spit up any yet, so hopefully she won't. She is a quiet baby. Not a lot of fussing at all, even when she gets hungry. Here are some pictures of her. Select Tags... SaveCancel [Edit Tags] Report abuse Quick Reply Jamie Elizabeth Update with Pictures http://community.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/forums/t/2058423.aspx

• 10-20-2009 10:07 PM

  In reply to

  hcjfctc Joined on 01-24-2008 Keira Joy born 10/19/2009~Virginia Beach, VA Posts 388

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Donielle Baby's Name: Keira Joy Gender: Girl Date of Birth:10/19/2009 Original Due Date: 10/15/2009 Height/Weight: 20 in 7 lms 12 oz Story/Pictures:Ok so here is her birth story: 6 pm we ate the pasta and 8 pm we did the castor oil drink for the second night in a row. My contractions started at 9 and so wewent for a walk to make sure they continued. The midwives showed up between 10:30 and 11 and checked me. She was still higher than they liked, but my cervix was effacing and 4-5 cm dialated. They told me to either walk around or lay on my left side and since I was already laying down, I decided to lay on my left side and then my contractions started to come really quickly and much harder and I really started to need my mom to help me focus on relaxing and breathing. They were starting to get really painful so I wanted to get in the pool, but they had to make sure that I was really progressing and it was ok for me to get in the pool. They ok'd me and the first contraction in the pool was soooo much less painful, I couldn't believe it. That was about 12:30. I had most of the pain in my hips and my back and so I had my mom get in the pool with me so she could message my back more easily. At 1 they checked me and she was still higher than they wanted and there was discussion of breaking my water so they could manuever her head down correctly instead of having it do it itself and chance her head positioning wrong, but during the check I felt water starting to come out and asked if she broke it, but she didn't think so. But then she felt there was a pin-sized hole that was slowly getting bigger and therefore slowly letting out water which was absolutely what they needed. Mary said she hasn't seen anything like it and that that is what is the best thing to happen...definite God spot. Probably about 1:30 to 2, I felt like I had to go poop so they had me do that since that's what castor oil does to you and they wanted to prevent anything going into the pool. It also helped to know that it was definitely her head causing the pressure and nothing else. Then at 2:30 I felt the urge to push again and so they decided to check me again. I expected to have to go through a few more contractions at least before they started having me push, but nope they started having me push. The midwives were awesome and made sure I really didn't tear. It was really hard when they wanted me to slow my pushing, but my body didn't want to, but they got me to breath the way I needed to to slow the pushing. They had me feel her head a couple things. I did want to squat, but I'm glad I didn't simply because it was nice to be able to relax against my mom between pushes. It was so surreal. I don't think I opened my eyes the entire time I was pushing. Thank God I only had to push for a half hour and there she was laying on my chest and the pain was gone at 3 am. It was so amazing. I couldn't believe she was there. She's already so strong. She was lifting her head up and everything. Then Dorothea cut the cord and she layed there for a couple of minutes before they took her to finish cleaning and such. Then I delivered the placenta and had me get out to go to the room. I was extremely shaky, but that's normal and then I just got to be with her. We made all the calls and were finally able to go to sleep at around 4:30. So it was pretty much 6 hrs worth of labor, which is really short for a first pregnancy. Right after she was born

• 10-21-2009 3:18 PM

  In reply to

  ShayBrown Joined on 05-01-2009 New Haven, CT Posts 188

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact Name: Quinnan Birthdate: October 18, 2009 6lbs 1oz 19 inches Oct. 18th Around 3am I awake to some pretty strong back pains and contractions that felt like I just started my period but very intense. I thought it was because I was holding my blatter so I went to the restroom to use it and I lost some of my water streaming down my legs. I was in awe because I know I wished for the delivery but I didnt image it so soon. From that moment on the pains started getting worse and 3 mins. apart so I call my midwife and asked what I should do. She suggested that I take a shower drink some water and try to relax and see how long the contractions last. So i decided to take a hot shower to distract me from the pain. Well when I got out of the shower I started bleeding and more water came streaming down my legs and my pains had not let up so I called her back. She suggested that I come into the hospital. I woke my husband and told him that it was time. Jesus, I didnt know the man would literally take so long getting dressed. I dont know if it was the pain that lessened my patience but I was about to throw something at him to get him going. Anyways, we are finally in the car on our way and the pains subside a little, now I am pissed because I am in the parking lot of the ER and my pain has decreased, but something said to go in anyways. Well, I got to ER and they immediately sent me to labor and delivery. I was greated by my midwife who had my room ready. She wanted to check me to make sure everything was ok. I was hooked on to the monitors and checked. 3cm and 75% effaced, but i lost some of my water so they wanted to keep me. She wanted to speed up my contractions so she encouraged me to walk up and down the hospital hallway... OMG, talking about some pain, I was in so much pain that I didnt know what to do. Needless to say 30 mins. later I told her that I couldnt take the walking anymore so she sent me in the room to check me again, and I was 5cm and 100% effaced. Labor here I come. Ladies, I sware, now I understand why it is called LABOR!!!! My labor pains were different because my baby decided to face my stomach instead of my back so now I am not only having contractions but I am also having the worse back pains in the world. Ladies I tried but I was crying and screaming because the pain was so intense that I thought that my body was tearing apart. She encouraged me to get the epidural because it was only going to get worse because of the position of the baby. Of course I did not disagree since I was in so much pain. I mean geese I went natural two other times, and yes I know that it was expecting to hurt but back pains are no joke while having contractions. So the dangon anastesiologist (FORGIVE THE SPELLING) took forever to come up they had to call him like 4 times. I was in so much pain, they felt bad for me. So once he came, he couldnt get the got darn epi inside me the right way. Ladies the man stuck me like 6 times in my back. So while I am having back pains, contractions and labor pains he is sticking me in my back with this long needle and applying pressure to find the spot. Horrible, 10 mins later he had me change my position stuck me two more times and finally he got it. The epi did not stop the pressure but did stop the contractions from hurting as bad. My midwife told me that I would feel most of it because the back of my baby's head is pressing on my back bone while being pushed down. So the only thing the epi did was take the edge off. Well, 15 mins. after the epi was in I felt like I had to do # 2 and asked the midwife to come in to check me.. she came in and I was at 9cm. She was upset because she had to check me with the wrong sized gloves so she told the nurse that she was going to get her size 7 gloves and she will be right back. As soon as she left I felt the babies head coming out so I told he nurse that the baby is coming, so she and my husband grabbed my legs and held them up, as soon as they did that the baby was coming out.. The nurse yelled for my midwife and at the other nurse to get her and she came running in just in time to catch my baby. She was in awe because he literally just came out. I was happy to have my little man in my arms and relieved that pregnancy is over. He is a healthy beautiful baby. I couldnt ask for anything more.

• 10-24-2009 11:10 AM

  In reply to

  DanaB Joined on 09-10-2008 Dallas, TX Posts 54

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Dana/DanaB Baby's Name: Charles William Bowen IV (Charlie) Gender: Boy Date of Birth: 10/10/09 Original Due Date: 10/22/09 Height/Weight: 18.5 inches 5 lbs 11 oz Story/Pictures: Wow so it has taken me forever to get to this so here goes... Friday 10/9 I woke up early to go the bathroom and I had some pinkish mucous discharge. I didn't think much about it since I had been for my 38 week appointment the day before and figured it was from that. Then I woke up again later that morning with some liquid clear discharge...not a huge gush, just enough to fill a pad. I again talked myself out of it being anything. I didn't have any more until about 5 pm that evening when it started leaking more and in greater amounts and then I started to have very mild irregular contractions. We called the doctor and they said to go to the hospital in case it was amniotic fluid that was leaking. We got the hospital and they did a test and it was indeed amniotic fluid...so since from what I told them they believe my water "broke" that morning they decided to induce me. Started the pitocin at about 10 pm. The contractions got really intense and I ended up getting an epidural at about midnight. Since my water had been a "prolonged break" they did not check my cervix except when I first got to the hospital (1 cm & 75% effaced) so I slept until about 5 am when the nurse came in. She said my doctor was on the phone and wanted to see how I was...so she checked and said "Ummm there's his head!" It was quite a shock. My doctor immediatly started heading to the hospital and we got ready for pushes. Pushing began at about 5:50 am and three sets of pushes later at 6:04 am on 10/10/09 Charlie arrived! It was a whirlwind, but overall the whole experience was great and I have healed incredibly fast. Charlie had a couple of issues and had to stay a couple extra days in the hospital (jaundice and they did an antiobiotic IV just in case since my water was broken so long). But we are home and he is doing great. He is breastfeeding really good. http://community.parentingweekly.com/Pregnancy/forums/t/2059213.aspx Here are some pics...spanning time from hours after birth up to 1 week old...enjoy!

• 10-24-2009 12:58 PM

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  Mommy2TommyNLucan Joined on 12-09-2005 Gonzales, LA Posts 62

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact Lucan was born last Friday October 16th at 3:11 pm via c-section. He weighed 7 lbs 1.47 oz and is 20.5 inches long. Now I had a scheduled section on Monday the 19th but Friday morning I started feeling some pain and major pressure down there that was happening about every 10 min or so. I dismissed it at first but as the day went on it got a little worse after going to the store and doing a few other things. I realized I was actually in labor and called the my doctor around 12 something. We got to the hospital around 1:30 or so and I was already dilated to 3 almost a 4 so they sent me to labor and delivery where I had to get my fluids and wait to get my epidural which seemed like forever. I was in PAIN, but I survived lol seemed like I'd never get relief. Once I was in the OR, I got my spinal which worked immediately :-D...My little man's HR was in the 60's for a long time so they had to progress with the surgery pretty quickly and get a neonatologist in the room just in case something was wrong. At 3:11 Lucan came into this world screaming once they cut the umbilical cord, poor baby had the cord in a "true knot" as the doctor called it which is why he was not tolerating the labor at all. Overall, both Lucan and I are doing great and breastfeeding is going very well! http://community.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/forums/t/2059242.aspx

• 10-26-2009 10:55 AM

  In reply to

  mandy3227798 Joined on 01-23-2009 Posts 0

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact Mandy/Mandy3227798; Baby's Name: Kyle Robert; Gender: Male; Date of Birth: 9/30/09; Original Due Date: 10/1/09; 9lbs 1oz 22in; On Monday September 27, I had my check up with my Dr. I was 3 cm dilated. That night I lost my mucus plug. On Tuesday September 28, I woke up at 4am with contractions. They were about 5-6 minutes apart - not painful, but a pressure type of feeling. I waited a couple of hours to make sure that they were continuing - then I called my mom. She came over and we expected that things would pick up and that Kyle would be born that day. We went on a couple of walks and during that time, the contractions got stronger and were a little bit uncomfortable (I had to stop and sway through them). I also kind of felt like I was leaking something - wasn't sure if this had to do with losing my mucus plug or if it was amniotic fluid. However, the contractions stayed at about the same intensity throughout the day and remained about 5 minutes apart. I called and spoke to my doula - I was concerned that maybe I was farther along than I thought (laughable now that I know what it feels like at the end). Anyway, my mom spent the night with us that night and I was able to get about 3-4 hours of sleep. The contractions continued but still weren't what I would consider painful. On Wednesday morning, we went on another walk and the contractions were again more intense at this time. I called and talked to my doula again. I wondered if I should go in to get checked. We were both concerned that they would insist on my being in the hospital before I wanted to be there (I really didn't want to spend the majority of my laboring time there). I did call my Dr. and they were understaffed and said that I needed to go into the hospital to get checked. They said that if I was 4 cm I would need to stay there. So, around 12:30, we went to the hospital. After being checked, they found I was 4-5cm and that my water had broken. So, I was there to stay. We called my doula and she came around 1:30. During the initial questioning at check in, I told them that I felt like I was leaking something. When they found that my water had broken, they really wanted a time for when that happened. I honestly didn't know. I just put out an arbitrary number and said that it was Tues. at 4:30 pm. So, from that point on, that number was etched in stone and there was such pressure knowing that after 24 hours of the water being broken they are concerned with infection, etc. We walked around the hospital and chatted in the room. When I was checked again I was a good 5, but they didn't feel like I was progressing fast enough. So, they started suggesting pitocin. The time went so quickly - I asked to get into the tub to see if that would progress things. The tub felt great and helped the contractions to get more intense. I had to start focusing and breathing through them. After the first time in the tub, I was 5-6cm - then they let me get back in and after that time I was a good 6. However, by this time it was almost 10:00 at night. They found that I had a little bag of water still intact behind Kyle's head. They considered having the dr. come in to break that but the dr. felt like it wouldn't be enough on its own to get things going. She really wanted me to use the pitocin. So, by this point I had been in labor for over 40 hours - although it wasn't all painful and hard, I was still exhausted and hadn't had much sleep. So, I decided to start with the pitocin. They agreed to let me stand up by the bed so that I could move - I had been having back labor and laying on the bed was awful. Once the pitocin kicked in, I had such incredible contractions - it went from being intense and hard work to being extremely painful. But, it did do it's job. I went from 6 to 8 really quickly. Then I got on my hands and knees and leaned onto a birth ball- the next contraction and that bag of water broke and Kyle's head went right into my cervix and it was very intense. I stood up and felt like pushing. I couldn't help myself and couldn't stop the desire to push. The nurse checked me and I was almost fully dilated but had a tiny bit of very thin cervix on one side. She was able to help push that out of the way and the doctor came in. Within 10 minutes, I got up onto the table and pushed him out. Although it was incredibly hard work, I felt great to do it without any pain medication and knew that my baby was born in a healthy way for us both. He nursed within 15 minutes and had was doing great. Unfortunately, the hospital felt like he was too big. We told them that this is completely normal for our family, but it didn't matter. He had to endure lots of tests between his size and the fact that my water had been broken for "too long". Right after birth, they did 4 different heel sticks (only one needed, but they couldn't get it to work right). He had to have this done a total of 5 times during our 2 days there. He also had to get blood drawn. So many extras that were only because of being in the hospital. However, he is a healthy boy & we made it through & he is now 3 weeks old & nursing well- doing great!

• 10-30-2009 8:15 PM

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  Stacie1747808 Joined on 11-17-2006 Arizona Posts 129

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name:Stacie/Stacie1747808 Baby's Name: Rita Lea Ann Pierce Gender:Female Date of Birth:10/27/2009 Original Due Date:10/29/2009 Height/Weight:19 1/2in 7lbs 0.7oz Story/Pictures:Tuesday morning at 7:30, I woke up with really strong contractions. I figured to just keep an eye on it since I had been having false labor for a few days. But by 9 am they were still really strong so I called my doctors office and asked them what they wanted me to do. The doctor wanted me to come into the office to check and see what was going on. So we went in at 10:30am and the doctor checked me. I was at 4cm and 90%. So she sent me straight over to labor and delivery and they started me on pitocin to get my contractions to come on stronger. Then doctor came in and broke my water at 11:30 and by noon, I was really feeling the pain! I asked for some fentenol, which they gave me in my i.v and I went to sleep for about 30 mins. After that, the fentenol didnt work a lick so I was on my own! The nurse got me off the bed and onto the birthing ball at about 4 pm. My husband massaged my back and made sure i had my water =] the nurse kept losing her heartbeat though, so I had to stand up. I wrapped my arms around my husbands neck and during every contraction, he would support me and hold me really close =] He did so good and I was so glad it was just me and him. Anyways, at about 4:30, I really felt the urge to push. So they got my doctor in there and we started pushing! Only problem....baby was trying to come out face up!!!! I pushed so hard, I gave mysekf a really bad bloody nose. At that point, the doctor knew she was going to have to turn the baby so I could get her out. That was friggen painful!!!!! But at 5:07, right after the doc turned her, she was in my arms!!! I couldnt believe she was finally here!!! My perfect little girl =] They did her tests and got her cleaned up and put her in my arms and I knew, even though it was very scary and alot more painful than with my other 2, she was perfect and her birth couldnt have gone any more perfectly. I am so glad she is finally here =]

• 11-06-2009 7:24 PM

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  ~Julielle~ Joined on 11-02-2008 Lowcountry, South Carolina Posts 676

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Julielle Baby's Name: Rayce Emmett Gender: Male Date of Birth: 10/28/09 @ 9:56pm Original Due Date: 10/31/09 Height/Weight: 6lbs 12oz; 20.5" long Story/Pictures: http://community.parentingweekly.com/baby/forums/p/2060580/16913555.aspx#16913555     I was going for a VBAC and I had been contracting off and on for 2 weeks with only a gradual change. My C-Sect was scheduled for 10/29 but they wanted to give me every chance at a natural so I went to the Dr on 10/23 and was only 1cm. She tried to strip my membranes but wasn't able to do much.She told me to come back in on 10/27 and we would try again. When I went back, I was 3-4 and she was able to strip my membranes and stretch me. OUCH. I went home and about 7:30 that night I started having contractions at 8 min apart. They weren't painful in any way so I ignored them. They continued all through the night and the next day. I was getting frustrated because they weren't getting any more painful or closer together. I just knew that I was going to end up having that planned c-sect which I did not want. The next day about noon, (while I'm scrubbing the kitchen floor with a wash cloth. Don't ask) I get the brilliant idea to call the Dr office and tell them what was going on. Dr tells me that I need to come in and be checked. Gah! This is what I DID NOT WANT TO HEAR. I had things to do and Rylee had to be picked up at 2:15 so how was I going to manage that. I called my step mom to tell her what they told me. She told me to call them back and ask if it was really necessary. I called them and they said that since I was going for a vbac, I needed to come in and be put on the monitor just to be sure. My step mom said she would pick Rylee up and for me to go. I told her that I wouldn't be that long, they would just put me on the monitor for a bit and then send me home. I called Jeremiah to tell him what was going on and that I was going to go and be checked. I still had things to do so I took my time. I finished cleaning the few things that I needed to and took a shower. The whole time I'm getting text messages and phone calls from the girls at Jeremiahs office. They are seriously freaking out that I'm about to drive myself to the Dr office while in labor. I assured them that I was NOT in labor, this was a false alarm just like every other time for the past 2 weeks and they were just going to check me and send me home. They are telling him that he needs to drive home and pick me up and take me to Beaufort because things could happen so fast and I could be driving when it did, etc. etc. Sorry, but I'm just too independent for that and I can handle and emergency if it arises. Keyword here, IF. He starts freaking out and I can hear in his voice that he's about to have a nervous break down on the phone. So I decided I needed to leave the house before they freaked him out any more and convinced him to come and get me and I had no way to get home when they told me that the contractions were all in my head. So, at 2pm I finally left and I drove myself to the Dr office. When I got there I just wave at the lady in the window and sit down. (Weekly Drs visits from 30wks makes you recognizable) At this point I am sitting in waiting room with all these other pregnant women when the front desk lady asks me why I'm there because there was no appt. I am just giddy at the fact that I get to announce: "Norton stripped me yesterday, I've been contracting regularly and they want me on the monitor." (the simple pleasures, lol.) Well they rush me back to the back and get me hooked up. I am, in fact, contracting regularly at 8 min apart. Dr. Mitchell checks me and I am 4-5. Woohoo! She also says that it's time for me to go to L&D. You're lying. I told everyone that I would probably be sent home! It's not time to have a baby yet! This baby doesn't want to come out on his own! Don't you know this? The way my luck runs, I'm going to have to have a c-sect without getting the chance to labor any! Silly Dr! OH, you're serious? L&D? Ok, well I'll go over and get hooked up to their monitor, but in 30 min when my contractions stop again you can send me home so I can finish doing everything that needs to be done before I really have to be here. I'll play along for now. So on the long walk to L&D next door, I call my step mom to tell her and then I call my poor on-the-verge-of-heart-failure-husband. I assured him that he did not have to come to the hospital. He could stay at work and if anything changed I would call him and let him know. So at 2:50pm I arrived at L&D and got hooked up to the monitor. I ended up having to change rooms because the machinery they had in there was not working properly (the first of many machines that would go haywire during my stay.) They switch the rooms and get me hooked up again and then bring in my IV. I realize that I'm probably not going to get to go home but it really hasn't sunk in yet. My laptop is in the car in the parking lot so the only thing I have to do is switch between watching Tv, and watching my contractions. This is when I noticed that some of my contractions weren't being picked up by the monitor (yet another machine malfunctioning on me). I worried that this meant that I WAS having false labor and they would take away my IV and send me home. At 4pm Dr Mitchell comes over and asks if she can break my water to see if we can get things to move along. I agreed but I had to wait for Jeremiah to get there. I call him at work at 4:01 and at 4:07 he was there, in my room. Any other time it would have taken slow poke 15 minutes or better to get there and then another 10 to park. She comes back at about 4:40 and breaks my water. A few minutes later things start getting serious. I remember asking Jeremiah to look under the sheet to make sure the towels were still under my butt to catch the fluid. He got this funny look on his face. Apparently the rest of my plug (a huge blob) had come out and was sitting on the towel and I didn't know it. I laughed so hard at the fact that I finally got him to gag! It was really really gross looking. My contractions were still pretty far apart but they were now painful enough Things continued that way until about 6 when all of a sudden my contractions went from about a minute long and 8 minutes apart to 90 seconds long every 2 minutes. I didn't even have enough time to recover from one before the next one started. Where my previous incision is started burning furiously with every contraction and I felt like my insides were about to rip open. I couldn't breathe. It felt like I had a gas bubble so big it was about to explode. No matter what position I got in, or how hard I tried to concentrate and breathe through it I couldn't. They were coming to fast and too hard. I was so worried that this was the start of a uterine rupture. That's when I noticed that, still, some of the contractions were not showing up on the monitor. So here I am seething in pain and I don't think anyone believes me because there is NOTHING on the monitor. I'm in tears because it hurts so bad and poor Jeremiah is about to have broken fingers. After so long I just can't take it anymore and request the epidural. At the same time is when they notice that Rayce is having minor decels with every contraction (even at during the contractions that "aren't there.") They think that maybe if I can relax during the contrax, that it will help with his decels. At 7:30 they bring in the anesthesiologist. (They had to fix my epidural pump first because it was acting up, machine 3 that has malfunctioned.) I am trying so hard to sit still through my contractions but holy cow, ouch. He's also talking to the nurse the whole time and it feels like he is taking forever. I'm moaning and crying and feeling like my insides are ripping apart and he's talking about football. I wanted so badly to scream at them to shut up and get that needle in there already but everytime I went to open my mouth I'd have another contraction. Good thing too because it wouldn't have been too smart to curse at the guy with the giant needle in your back. Finally it's in and starts to take effect (even numbed my right arm). I notice that I can still move my toes and legs and still feel the pressure of the contractions minus the agonizing pain in my gut, which I thought was great. They also put in internal monitors and those contractions I was feeling but weren't showing up, were FINALLY showing up. They were not pretty at all. By this point my contractions were about 1min45sec long and still 2 minutes apart. Now the pressure that I had been feeling before started getting worse. I kept telling them that I felt tons of pressure in my butt. She checked me and I was only at a 6. Way too early to be feeling pressure. For the next 30 minutes or so, the pressure in my butt turned to pain. With every contraction I felt so much pressure in my rear that I would cry. I kept saying that it feels like I'm about to birth him out of my butt. They assured me that he was not coming out of my butt, but I begged to differ. His heart rate was still decelerating with the contractions and at 8:30 Dr Mitchell came in and told me that he was still having decels. I agreed that I didn't think he was tolerating the labor very well and neither was I. She said that she thought a c-sect was in order and I agreed. It was time to get this baby out. They brought the anesthesiologist back in to dose me up again for the surgery. This whole time I'm steady texting. Jeremiah was outside smoking and when he came back in he had no clue what was going on. When he comes back in they hand him some scrubs to put on. He puts them on and then sits in the handling labor well, we're having a c-sect right now. We'll be holding him in like 15 minutes." He gets this funny look on his face and says Ok so off we go. They get me strapped onto the table and start. I feel tons of pressure while they are doing it and get nauseous a few times. Finally I hear him cry. Jeremiah stands up and takes a few pics. I'm so happy I'm in tears. Dr Mitchell shouts out that he's perfect which makes me cry even harder. I tell Jeremiah to go see him and a few seconds later he comes back holding this precious little miracle. After having such a rough pregnancy, they let Jeremiah hold him and sit next to me for a few minutes for me to check him over and talk to him. I felt pretty special. I couldn't wait to get to hold him. I even stayed awake the entire time they were sewing me up. I was joking and laughing with Dr Mitchell, the girl on my left and the guy standing behind me the entire time. They wheeled me to recovery (I was the only one in there) and I was joking with the nurse in there. She massaged my belly and it didn't hurt like I remember it hurting with Rylee so that was good. I could wiggle my toes the whole time (even during the c-sect) so I thought that that might get me out of recovery faster. My only problem was my right arm. It had absolutely no feeling whatsoever and at first I couldn't move it at all then slowly it got to where I could move it but not open my fingers. I went to scratch my nose and punched myself in the face. It was quite comical. Not sure exactly what time I got released to my post partum room but I wasn't in recovery that long. I finally got to hold my little monkey and was so happy to finally see him and love on him. The anxiety of this whole pregnancy has left me feeling very unsatisfied and empty but I was so glad that he was finally here and I could physically SEE that he was ok. You can't imagine the relief and the weight that was lifted off my shoulders in that very second. Afterwards, the monitors in my postpartum room didn't work, they brought in one of the pulse/temp machines that wouldn't work at all and had to get a different one, the leg massagers that they put on your legs to keep blood circulating stopped working 10+ times and they changed everything out of the machine to finally get it to work, my IV pump stopped working and lastly when I went for my class they couldn't get the Tv to work. Every machine in that hospital broke on me! So that's it. The only thing I'm really upset about is that I don't have one single picture of me holding him in the hospital!

• 11-10-2009 6:18 PM

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  scarlet_willow Joined on 12-14-2007 James 23 July '08, Henry 26 Oct '09 Posts 1,845

  Re: *~*~Birth Stories and Pumpkin Patch Awards~*~* Reply Contact First Name/Screen Name: Catie/scarlet_willow Baby's Name: Henry Patrick Gender: male Date of Birth: October 26, 2009 Original Due Date: November 5, 2009 Height/Weight: 21.5 inches/ 8 lb 7 oz Story/Pictures: I never would have thought that this would have all started with what I thought was me peeing my pants. haha The short version: My water broke on Sunday morning (we think), I went into the hospital at 9 PM. I had regular contractions but they weren't strong enough, so i had to be given pitocin at 1 AM on Monday. At 7:54 AM on Oct 26th, Henry was born. Ten days before his due date and 8 lb 7 oz, 21.5 inches long. He has my long fingers and alot of light blondish hair on his cone head hehe The long version of the story for those who love all the details:Sunday AM (Oct 25): All day I felt what I thought was a very leaky bladder. Mike & I debated off & on whether I should even call the Dr. I was afraid they'd want me to go in to be checked just to find out there was nothing the matter. Around dinner time we both decided that just in case i should get it checked out (since there is a risk of infection if you don't have the baby within a day or so of your water breaking). I called & they told me to come on into triage. The nurse got me all set up and the Dr. explained the procedure to check for a rupture of membranes. I was anticipating a not so fun pelvic exam, but when she pulled back the sheet she said, "we won't have to do this test your bag is grossly ruptured." haha Thanks. By this point I am 4 cm and having contractions about every 3 minutes, but they are not very strong. So they admit me and the game plan is set: get the antibiotics I need for GBS (which will take a full 8 hours to process) and then start walking. If we can get the contractions going then great, but if not, then we have to start pitocin. :( Monday (Oct 26)Midnight-4AM: By this point Mike, my mom and sister are with me. James is sleeping at home with my dad watching him. They give me an hour or so to walk around but my contractions don't get any stronger so the pitocin goes in around 1 AM. For about an hour I begin to feel them get stronger and stronger. After awhile they are too uncomfortable for me to walk so i get on the birth ball (since my water broke, my plan to try out the tub went out the window). By 2 AM they are soooo strong and incredibly painful. Mike is helping me breathe through them and my mom and sister take turns massaging my back, but it was the worst pain I have ever felt. Not only every contraction (which I swear came 1 right after the other), but even in the short breaks I felt a ton of pressure in my lower back and hips. So I broke down and requested the epidural. It took about an hr from when I requested it until the anesthesiologist got there, once it was in though I was so relieved! I did have some trouble with my blood pressure going down, so the nurse had to give me 3 doses of meds to bring it up and a butt load of IV fluids. After that i also had to keep an oxygen mask on because the nurse said Henry seemed happier when I was getting more air. I have to say though, it was a perfect epi. I must have had a great anesthesiologist. I never felt any more pain, just some pressure and I was still able to move my legs and lift my bottom off the bed (which really impressed the Dr and nurses haha). After I got the epi, my nurse checked me and I was a 6. I couldn't believe after all that pain I wasn't at least 7 or 8! 4AM-7 AM: Not much happens. They do turn the pitocin off though because I guess it did it's job and kick started my labor, but now my body has taken over to do it's job. I try to rest, but can't really fall asleep with an oxygen mask, blood pressure cuff going off every few minutes. 7 AM: Shift change, I get a new nurse and Dr who I am much happier with. The new nurse, whose name is Jennifer checks me and I'm a 9 1/2!!!! She has me push once while she holds open my cervix and it opens to a 10!!! Everything is happening so fast. My 2nd dose of antibiotics is given just in time, the new Dr comes in and checks me to find the baby is "right there." I begin pushing and after just 6 minutes, Henry was here! It was absolutely amazing! Especially since I pushed for 1 1/2 hr with James. He did have his cord wrapped around his neck once, but the Dr took care of that right away. He is covered in vernix and they laid him on my chest but he isn't crying. He starts grunting, so they take him away to the baby table. They say it's OK but have to help clear his lungs or something. (I wonder if this had anything to do with all the drugs I was given or the cord, or just for no reason.) Mike, my mom and sister go over to see him while I am still glued to the bed and delivering the placenta. Finally his breathing is better and I get to hold him skin to skin. I kept rubbing his face and hair and tickling his toes. He was so cute, I couldn't believe this creature just came out of me. I also got to nurse him. He did have low blood sugar, so he had to be given 2 syringes of formula before it was up to a good level. I had a really small tear, which at first the Dr wasn't going to stitch, but she decided to just to make it tidier. 　My birth experience was alot different than I would have expected. I never thought my water would break before I had contractions. I hoped to use the tub to labor in and possibly avoid an epidural. I also never ever anticipated having to be given pitocin. But in this scenario those things couldn't be avoided (well maybe the epi haha but I'm a wimp). It seems like more things went wrong with this labor than my last (low blood pressure, Henry's breathing trouble and blood sugar levels)... but at the same time, this labor was much easier. And afterwards I felt so much better. It didn't go the way I had even loosely envisioned, but at the same time I couldn't have hoped for it to be any better. I'm sure in a few days the exhaustion will catch up to me, but for now I am still in awe of how wonderful everything turned out. I'm so grateful I've had two little boys now who have come into my life.